Dipping tobacco

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Dipping tobacco (or American moist snuff) is a form of smokeless tobacco. It is commonly referred to as dip while the act of using it as dipping, having a dip, or having a lip. The term chewing tobacco is often associated with this family of products, although it is a separate group of tobacco derivatives altogether.

1 Usage
2 Difference between Canadian and American dipping tobacco
3 Health Issues
4 Smokeless tobacco companies
5 Alternative products
6 External links
7 See also
8 Source

[edit] Usage

Dip is commonly confused with chewing tobacco. Instead of literally chewing on tobacco, a small clump of dip is 'pinched' out of the tin, and placed between the lower or upper lip and gums. The dip rests on the inside lining of the mouth where saliva carries nicotine to the inferior or superior labial arteries. Dip tobacco users often spit out excess saliva generated while dipping as it can cause irritation to the esophagus and nausea.

[edit] Difference between Canadian and American dipping tobacco

Canadian tins are smaller in size compared to tins produced for the United States. US tins are generally 34 grams while Canadian tins are 15 grams. Canadian users wait longer for new products to be released and spend, depending on province, up to 40% more^[1]. Many flavours are not released in Canadian markets until much later due to tobacco denormalization laws.^[2]

[edit] Health Issues

It should be noted that dip, along with most tobacco products, has been traditionally identified by the medical community as a cause of cancer. The risk of mouth cancer is significantly argued by some American public health professionals, as noted in several recent and past studies.^[3] Cancer, however, is not experienced as a consequence in Sweden, where smokeless tobacco use is well-established. It should be noted, however, that Sweden utilizes a different manufacturing process that is speculated to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals delivered to the smokeless tobacco user.^[4]

Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine, which is the primary addictive agent. Warning labels for smokeless tobacco sold in the U.S. include:

WARNING: This product may cause mouth cancer.

WARNING: This product may cause gum disease and tooth loss.

WARNING: This product is not a safe alternative to smoking.

According to European Union policy, Scandinavian or some American smokeless tobaccos are at least 90% less hazardous than cigarette smoking.^[5] However, the habit is still highly addictive.

Snus is Swedish moist snuff which strictly measures and minimizes nitrosamine content.

Taxation and restriction of smoking is causing more smokeless tobacco use as "substitution". There is active public health debate regarding risk-reduction for smokers, and reconsideration of smokeless tobacco risks. "...there is a substantial body of informed and independent opinion that sees the value of harm reduction strategies based on smokeless tobacco."^[6]

[edit] Smokeless tobacco companies

Connecticut-based UST Inc. held 62.5 percent of the market as of the third quarter of 2006 according to Morningstar. The company's brands include Copenhagen, Skoal, Husky, and Red Seal. The next two largest entities are the Conwood subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc., and Swedish Match. In 2006, Altria Group Inc. test-marketed a smokeless, "spitless" tobacco product.

[edit] Alternative products

Tobacco-free smokeless products are available on the market such as Mint Snuff http://www.mintsnuff.com, Smokey Mountain Snuff http://www.smokeymountainsnuff.com and Hooch Snuff http://www.hoochsnuff.com utilize an herbal based composition with ingredients such as mint leaves, corn silk or pueraria.

[edit] External links

	Wikimedia Commons has media related to: snuff

http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20051112-102753-2328r.htm Smokeout: Not as easy as ABC by Brad Rodu/Jeff Stier, November 13, 2005, commentary in Washington Times
http://www.tobaccoprogram.org/pdf/TC12349.pdf Effect of smokeless tobacco (snus) on smoking and public health in Sweden, Oct. 2003